Police Bust Fake Travel Agency in Kashmir capital Srinagar

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday claimed to have busted a fake travel agency in summer capital Srinagar while nabbing a fraudster in the case.

In a statement, a police spokesperson said the Tourism Enforcement Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police busted a fake Travel Agency by the name of ‘Al Shama Holidays’.

“Taking cognizance of complaints received from several tourists, three cases came were registered at tourist police station Srinagar. During Investigation it surfaced that a fake Travel Agency by the name of ‘Al Shama Holidays’ is being run by one Umar Shah @ Suraj Sharma @ Amir son of Ghulam Mohamad Shah resident of Kakawthal Baramulla presently at Mustafabad Zainakote and his wife namely Shama Hameed D/O Hameed Sayed resident of Karwar Karnataka,” said the spokesperson.

He said that it surfaced during the investigation that the accused was not providing any service to the tourists and used to grab the money which was deposited in his accounts.

“The accused Umar Shah was arrested on May 7 and the office used by the accused couple at Munawarabad Srinagar by the name “Al Shama Holidays” was searched and incriminating documents were seized,” he said.

The spokesperson said that the accused was also found involved in previous two criminal cases of cheating and forgery viz FIR numbers 02/2013 and 01/2015 under sections 420,467,468 RPC 2/32,36(2) tourist trade act and the charge sheet of both these cases stands filed before the competent court.

“Investigations have revealed that the said accused has married with Shama Hameed D/O Hameed Sayed resident of Karwar Karnataka and the modus operandi of the duo was to lure the innocent tourists through fake websites, emails, WhatsApp and fake itineraries.

“The bank accounts which were found in the name of accused Shama Hameed maintained in Union Bank of India, State bank of India Karnataka and UCO bank were frozen and the websites www.ladakhtourism.com was also blocked during the investigation,” he said.

“General public is informed to stay aware of such fraudulent persons and to verify the antecedents of service providers before booking their trips,” the spokesperson appealed.